Tonight voters elected our first out gay state legislator in Florida’s history! David Richardson was elected to the Florida House in District 113, representing Miami Beach. No Republicans entered the race so David’s victory in the Democratic primary and edged out three opponents to claim the seat.

When the legislature convenes in 2013, David may not be alone in making history. Orange County voters just delivered a huge primary election victory for out, gay candidate Joe Saunders in the House District 49 race. He carried his district with a 30 point margin over his Democratic challenger. Joe now faces his Republican opponent in November in an I-4 corridor battle – the most hotly contested region of the state.

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Brevard County also delivered an exciting primary victory for out, gay candidate John Alvarez in the House District 53 race. Alvarez won with an exciting 15 point margin over his Deomcratic challenger. John now faces Republican incumbent John Tobia in November.

Florida has not only broken the lavender ceiling, we could shatter it entirely. Ian Whitney, an out gay candidate running in House District 120 out of Key West was uncontested in the primary and will advance to the general election.

Hopefully this will help influence the Jacksonville, Florida city council the next time someone brings up a bill to end discrimination against LGBT people. (The current bill lost by a vote of 10-9 today) Or, even better, garner enough support for a state-wide bill!